In Memory of Their Late Son, Long Valley Couple Donates $3,500 to Morris County Sheriff's Office Hope One Program and Washington Township First Responders

Published on September 18, 2020

A Long Valley couple that founded the charity Joshua's Peace in memory of their late son made a generous donation of $3,500 on Friday to the Morris County Sheriff's Office Hope One mobile outreach program, the Washington Township Police Department, and other first responder organizations.

From left, Morris County Sheriff's Office Detective Lt. Laura Flynn, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Andrew Davidson, Morris County Sheriff's Office Corporal Erica Valvano, Mark Broadhurst, Maria Broadhurst, Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, Mental Health Case Manager Al Shurdom. From left, Morris County Sheriff's Office Detective Lt. Laura Flynn, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Andrew Davidson, Morris County Sheriff's Office Corporal Erica Valvano, Mark Broadhurst, Maria Broadhurst, Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, Mental Health Case Manager Al Shurdom.

Mark and Maria Broadhurst, whose 24-year-old son, Joshua, died on December 6, 2019, of an accidental overdose, presented Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon and his Hope One team with a $1,000 donation during a Hope One stop outside the Long Valley Pharmacy in Washington Township.

The Broadhursts also presented Washington Township Police Chief Jeffrey Almer and Township Mayor Matt Murillo with a $1,000 donation from Joshua's Peace. Additional donations of $500 each are being given to the Washington Township P.B.A., the Long Valley First Aid Squad, and Washington Township Fire Departments.

By creating Joshua's Peace, the Broadhursts pledged to invest in programs and organizations that educate others about substance abuse, assist in rehabilitation, and work to eradicate stigmas that can be associated with asking for help.

I think it's very heartwarming that a family that has gone through such a tragedy is able to look forward and see there's a huge problem out here. They dug down and are looking to help other people. I'm in awe of the family. Joshua's memory will always be attached to the Hope One truck as it goes around the county, the state and the nation. Joshua's memory will always be in our hearts, Sheriff Gannon said.

Mark and Maria Broadhurst, founders of Joshua's Peace, in memory of their late son, Joshua, who died on Dec. 6, 2019 of an accidental overdose. Mark and Maria Broadhurst, founders of Joshua's Peace, in memory of their late son, Joshua, who died on Dec. 6, 2019 of an accidental overdose.

Mark Broadhurst said he loves Hope One's approach of going out into the community in a nonjudgmental style.

We appreciate all that you, the Sheriff, and Hope One is doing. We are in awe because not only are you saving lives, you're spreading a message that is so important to us. You approach the issue from a point of compassion and provide hope, Mr. Broadhurst said.

The Morris County Sheriff's Office Hope One mobile outreach program was launched on April 3, 2017, to bring free Narcan training and critical mental health and addiction resources and treatment options to people living in communities across the county.

Mark and Maria Broadhurst with Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon on September 18, 2020. Mark and Maria Broadhurst with Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon on September 18, 2020.

As of Friday, the Hope One team has made 14,468 contacts, assisted 189 people into rehab and recovery programs and another 154 people with mental health services. The team has trained 2,790 people in how to administer Narcan to reverse an opioid-induced overdose.

The Broadhursts in July also donated $560 to the Long Valley Food Pantry, or $10 for every resident that completed Narcan training offered by the Hope One team.

The Broadhursts started Joshua's Peace to honor their son, shed a loving light on the disease of addiction, and spread the face that addiction doesn't discriminate. Their son was very close to his parents and siblings and heavily interested in nutrition, body-building and the beach. He was sober for four years before he relapsed and accidentally overdosed on heroin that was laced with fentanyl.

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